Stapling machine



Feb. 1, 1944. M. VOGEL STAPLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 5, l9I58 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR MAXYVDEEL ATTORNEY Feb. 1, 1944. "M. VOGEL 2,340,717

STAPLING MACHINE F iled Dec. 5, 193a 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Feb. 1, 1944. M. VOGEL STAPLING MACHINE 7 Filed Dec. 5, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 63 9% f6 67 65 INVENTOR DQI AX VIJGEL ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 1, 1944 STAPLING MACHINE Max Vogel, Bridgeport, Conn., assig-nor to 'Neva- Clog Products, Inc., Bridgeport, Conn, :a corporation of Connecticut Application December 5, 1938,..Serial'No. 243,920

20 Claims.

The present invention relates to an improvement in stapling machines, particularly of the so-called desk type, and has .for an object to provide a stapling machine of this type in which loading of the staples is .facilitated. In particular it :is proposed to provide a stapling machine .in whicha cover portion is mounted for longitudinal sliding movement in respect to the staple :supporting :rail, in such manner that the cover portion may be longitudinally "retracted, when it is desired to load the machine with a staple strip, the rail being exposed at its upper side to "permit the staple strip to be loaded simply by laying it upon the .rail. .It is further proposed to provide spring pressed staple pusher means arranged -.-to

be automatically retracted :upon retraction :of the cover member, and to be automatically released into operative relation :upon moving the cover member to closed position.

A further object is to provide a stapling machine in which a staple rail housing-member is provided, upon which the longitudinally movable cover is slidably mounted, such .housing member being arranged to support the staple rail and to partially enclose the sides of the staple strip, the "upper edge of said housing member terminating below the upper side of the staple rail so that in the open position of the cover member, the upper portion of the staple rail will be laterally exposed, so that the staple strip may be conveniently gripped at its sides by the fingers while placing the same upon the rail.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stapling machine in which the main parts may be assembled by sliding them into cooperative relation, without the necessity for riveting, welding, or other such permanent connections, the construction :at the same time permitting the partsto be readily dis-assembled 'for the purpose of repair or replacement. Inparticular it 'isproposed toprovidea hous ng and rail member pivotally mounted 'upon .a base member, a cover :member slidably engagedwith the housing member, a pusher member slidably engaged with the rail, and a spring member engaged within the rail to exert forward pressure upon the pusher member, the pusher and spring being retained inoperative relation through sliding engagement of the cover member-with the housing'member.

A further object is to provide rib means integrally formed in the cover member for mounting and guiding the staple driving plunger, and for retaining the pusher and staple strip upon the rail, and whereby the construction and assembly will be greatly simplified and economized.

With the above and other objects in view, embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, and these-embodiments will behereinafter more fully described with reference thereto, and the invention will be finally pointed out in the claims.

In the .drawings:

Fig. 1 ,is a side elevation oia des'ktype stapling machine, according to one exemplary illustrated embodiment .of theinvention, the same being shown in the normal operative closed position.

Fig.2 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line .2-2 of Fi 1.

Fig. .3 is .a longitudinally verticalsectional View. I Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along the line 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation showing the stapling machine with the cover :member in its .openstaple strip loading position. 7

Fig. 6 isa top plan view, on anenla-rged-scale, of the forward end of the cover membenthe staple driving plunger and plate being :removed.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line l--1 of Fig. -6.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view on an enlarged scale of the iorward end of the staple strip housing and rail.

Fig. .9 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 101s a bottomplan view thereof.

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of a modified form of the invention showing the same in its normal operative closed position.

Fig. 12 is a view, partiallyin side elevation-and partially in longitudinally vertical section, showing the stapling machine illustrated in Fig. 11 in its open staple strip loading position.

Fig. 13 is .a bottom plan view taken along the line 13-43 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a transverse vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale, taken along the .line 14-44 of .1-1.

Fig. 5151s a transverse vertical sectional view also On an enlarged scale, taken along the .line 15-15 of Fig. 11. Figs. 1-6--and 17 are fragmentary-side elevations of a modification embodying a cover locking slide,Fig. 16 showing the same inlockedposition, and Fig. 17 showing it in unlocked position.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 1 to 10 thereof, the stapling machine, according to the exemplary illustrated embodiment of the invention :shown therein, compr'isesahousing member consisting of afront -;wa1l-I0.,:side-walls ll bent rearwardly therefrom wall I a distance suflicient to provide a staple,v

driving space and at each side of this base there is provided in the respective flanges l3 adjacent the side walls I2 a rearwardly extending slot l4 (Fig. these slots adapted to provide clearance is an obstruction to the driving operation.

The staple rail comprises a base l5, side walls l6 bent upwardly at right angles thereto, and flanges .llbent inwardly from the upper edges 'o f the side walls |6,these flanges being'spaced apart toprovide alongitudinal slot along the upper side of the rail. The rail is secured at its base to the inwardly bent base flanges l3 of the housing member, preferably by spot-welding, the weldings being atupointsat each side of the center. seam of the housing member so that the housing. member and the rail are rigidly connected. In the assembled relation the side walls 1630f the rail are parallel to the side walls 12 of the housing member and are inwardly spaced therefrom to provide'a guide space for the'side legs of the staple strip. The side walls ll; of the; railare higher than the side walls ll of .the housing, so that when the staple strip is engaged upon the rail the upper portions 'of the side legs of V the strip will be laterally exposed while'the lower portion will be engaged between the side walls l6 and I l. The front wall Ill of the housing extends above the plane of the upper "surface of the rail sufficiently to provide a forwardfabutment for; the staple strip.

Near the rearward end of the housing member there are provided a pair of downwardly projecting lugs [8, preferably blanked from the flange portions l3-l3 and disposed in the vertical planes of the side walls ll, these lugs having bearing holes l9 therein in which is engaged the pivot pin which pivotally connects the housing member to the base 2!, this base 2| bein {provided with a pair of upwardly projectin -apertured ears 22 disposedat the outer sides of the lugs l8 and engaged by theends of the pin 20 which are headed over to retain the pin The base 2| is provided with the usual grooved staple -leg bending anvil portion2la. A leaf spring 23 is secured by rivets 24 to the under side of the housing member and is engaged with the base member 2| to normally retain the housing mem- 'i-ber in spaced parallel relation to the base member, this spring yielding during the stapling operation when the housing member is pressed toward the base member to grip the material being stapled, r M

The cover member comprises a front wall 25, I side walls 26 bent rearwardly from the front wall I fatfright angles thereto and in parallel relation tc each othenand a-top wall formed by overlapping flanges 21 and 28 formed upon the upper .edg"es'of the'side walls 26, and which flanges are welded, riveted or otherwise suitably connected f together. At the bending points between the front .wall and side walls 25 the side walls are provided withrmilled or broached slots 29 which iiaoilitate accurate bending and provide guideguiding ribs upon the inner surface of the side walls to guide the staple driving plunger.

The staple driving plunger 3| is in the form r of a rectangular tube and has mounted upon its '15 spaces for the staple legs in the event that there forward face the staple driving plate 32, the

"latter being removab-ly secured to the plunger by means of an outwardly pressed boss 33 upon the forward wall of the plunger engaging a hole 34 in the staple driving plate. The staple driving plate is slightly wider at its upper portion than the plunger and is engaged and guided at its vertical edges in the grooves 29 (Figs. 6 and 7),'whi1e the plunger is guided between the side walls'26 and the vertical ribs 30 formed thereon.

In therear-wall of the plunger there is provided a slot 35 engaged by the forward projecting end of a hair pin spring 36, this spring bein coiled at 31 upon a transverse pin 38 secured to the side walls 26, and having its rearward ends 39 bearingupon the under surface of the top wall of the cover member. The forward end of this spring in the raised position of the plunger 3| engages the inner surface of the top wall of the covenmember andthus limits the raised position of the plunger.

' r The side walls 26 are provided at their lower 'edges' with outwardly bent channel flanges 40 which slidably engage the outwardly bent flanges l2 of the side walls ll of the housing member,

the side walls 26 of the' cover member and H of the housing member being co-planar' in the engaged relation of the cover. As shown'in Fig. 1 the front wall 25 of the cover member has its lower edge insubstantially meeting relation with the upper edge of the front wall l0, while the 'forward 'edge of the lower portions of the side wallslbelow the lower edge of the front wall 25 engage the inner surface of the front wall ill in .abutting relation.

spaced parallel relation to' the channel flanges Thesidewalls 26 are provided in upwardly 40 with inwardly pressed horizontal ribs 4| which project inwardly with respect to the inner surfaces of the side walls, as shown in Fig. 5, and

constitute limit means which engage the staple strip and pusher to prevent upward displacement upon the rail.

The pusher consists of an upper wall .2 and I downwardly extending side walls 43 forming an inverted'U shape channel member which is slidably engaged upon the rail. At the forward end of the top wall 42 there is provided an upwardly bent flange 44 which engages the rearward end of the staple strip and extends above the plane of the lower edge of the front Wall 25 of the cover member for the purpose of enabling the cover member to retract the pusher in the open position of the cover member, as will presently more fully'appear. At the rearward end of the upper wall 42 there is provided a downwardly bent lug 45 which is T-shaped to engage the slot between the rail between the flanges ll-ll and to extend within the rail beneath these flanges to thus prevent upward disengagement of the pusherfrom the rail. H V

The helical spring" 46 for. exerting forward pressure upon the pusher is engaged at-.its: forward end with the lug 45: and is. disposed in the rail between this lug and a lug 4'! bent upwardly from'the rearward end of the base l5 of the rail, this lug having a forwardly bent upper end por' tion 48 which engages within the rearward end of the spring. The lug 45 of the pusher is provided with a notch 49 which clears the lug 41 of the rail as the pusher is assembled upon the rail. The spring is of such diameter that in the assembled relation within the rail it engages the, base I 5 of the'rail-at its lower side and the edges of the flanges I"! atits uppersi'de thus positioning it against sidewise distortion. In order to conveniently assemble the spring, the rearward end portions of the flanges I T are cut away, as at 50, to provide suflicient space to enable the spring to be inserted between the flanges and the lug 41. 1 Upon each of the channel fianges'40 of the cover member near the forward 'ends thereof there is riveted or otherwise suitably secured a detent spring member 5| having a projecting ball portion 52 at its forward end which is engaged in an aperture 53 in the side walls of the flange 40 and which is adapted to engage in notches 54 and 55 (Fig. 3) provided in the edge of each of the flanges l2 of the housing member to thus retain the cover member in the respective closed and opened positions. The ball ends 52 engage the forward notches 54 in the closed position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and engage the rearward notches 55 in the open position, as shown in Fig. 5. The tension of these detent members is such that they will be released upon sliding pressure being applied to the cover member, but will retain the cover member in its respective closed and open position sufficiently to prevent unintentional displacement.

The operation is as follows: C

In the normal use of the machine, with the staple strip A in place as shown in Fig. 3, the cover member is retained by the detent spring member 5! in its closed position with the staple driving plate 32 in alignment above the foremost staple in the staple driving passage, and the staple strip is pressed forwardly by the pusher under the pressure of the spring 46.

In order to reload the machine with a staple strip the cover member is slid longitudinally to its retracted position, as shown in Fig. 5, which operation causes the lower end of the front wall 25 to engage the lip 44 at the forward end of the pusher and pressthe pusher rearwardly upon the rail, at the same time. compressing the spring. As the detent members 5| move into line with the rearward notches 550i the flanges I 2 they automatically drop into detenting engagement therei with and retain the cover in open position. The tension of the detent. members is suflicient to hold the cover retracted against the pressure of the compressed spring 46, but is preferably such that ..they will release upon exerting sliding pressure upon the cover.

In the open position of the cover the forward end of the rail is exposed at its upper side and the staple strip may be laid in place thereon, it bein understood that the exposed length of rail is preferably greater than the standard length of staple strip. Thereupon the cover is moved to closed position, the pusher moving forwardly to the point where it engages the end of the staple strip and thereupon exerts forward pressure thereon, the staple strip being retained upon the rail through abutment of its? forward end-with the front wall 10 of the housing member.

In Figs. 11 to. 15 I have illustrated a modified form of the invention in which the principal difference over the first embodiment consists in the mounting and operation of the pusher spring 45, this spring being engaged upon a horizontally disposed rod 56, mounted at its. rearward end upon a rearward wall portion 51 formed upon the cover member, and slidab'ly engaged at its forward end with an aperture 58 provided in the lug of thepu'sher. In this case the spring re= taining lug 41 provided upon the rearward end of the rail in the first embodiment is dispensed with. In the closed position of the cover mem-' ber, as shown in Fig. 11, the spring is compressed between the rearward wall 51 of the cover mem her andthe lug 45 of the pusher and exerts for ward pressure upon the pusher. In the open position as shown in Figs. 12 and 13 the spring; which is at its full expansion by virtue of having pressed the pusher forwardly to the end ofthe rail upon driving of the last staple, remains in this fully expanded position as the cover is moved from closed to open position, and as the pres sure of the spring is exerted between the cov er member and the pusher, rather than between the housing member and the pusher, as in the first embodiment, no resistance is imposed by the spring to the sliding movement of the cover member to open position. In closing the cover member after having loaded a staple strip upon the rail the spring is compressed as the cover member moves forwardly relatively to the pushenjthe cover being thereupon retained in the closed position by the detent members 5| engaging. the forward detent notches 54.

In- Figs. 11 to 15 I have illustrated certain modifications in. structural features of the machine, but it will be understood that these features may be employed in the embodiment as shown in Figs. 1 to 10, and that the structural features as employed in the embodiment'shown in Figs. 1 to 10 may be employed in the embocliment shown in Figs. 11. to 15.

Instead of the two piece welded housing and rail as employed in the embodiment shownin Figs. 1 to 10, I have illustrated a one-piece housing and rail structure comprising a front wall portion 55, side wall portions 65, bent rearwardly therefrom in parallel relation provided at their upper edges with outwardly bent flanges 6 i, and provided at their lower edges with wall portions 62 bent upwardly at their inner sides, these Wall portions being inwardly offset, as at B3, and ex.- tending above the plane of the flanges 6| and provided at their upper ends with inwardly bent flanges E4. The structure thus formed provides a staple carrying rail having its side walls inwardly spaced from the side walls SE? in substantially similar manner to the housing and rail structure of the first embodiment. Near the rearward ends of the side walls there are provvided downwardly bent apertured mounting lugs 65, (Fig. 15) preferably blanked from the wall portions 62, and in which are securedthe riveted ends of a shouldered spanner bushing member 66 which rigidly connects and supports the sides of the housing and rail member and provides a tubular mounting for the pivot pin 25.

. A leaf spring 6'! is secured by rivets 68 to the base 2? and engages the lower edges of the two sides of the housing and railmember to support th'esame in spaced parallel relation to the base member.

A channel strip 69 is welded or otherwise suitably secured to the inner side of the side walls 26 of the housing member to form a limit stop to'prevent upward movement of the staple strip and pusher, being provided with an upwardly channeled intermediate portion in which the forward lip 44 of the pusher is engaged.

' The staple driving pusher is guided in its vertical movement by providing in each of its side walls a pair of vertically alignedspaced slots 1| and 12 engaged by cross pins- Band 14 secured to and extending between the side walls 26 of the cover member.

5 In Figs. 16 and 17 I have illustrated a further modification in which'positive locking means, in addition to the spring detent means, for securing the cover member in its closed position is provided, the structure and operation being otherwise similar to that of the other embodiments. Instead of. the guide slots 1| and 12 provided in the side wall of the plunger 3| and engaged with the pins 13 and 14 secured to the cover member, as shown in the embodiment Figs. 1 to 10, I have illustrated a modified arrangement in which the plunger guide means consist of slots 15 and 16 provided in spaced vertical alignment in each of-the side walls 26 of the cover member and which are engaged by the projecting ends of cross pins 11 and 18 secured inthe side walls ofthe plunger 3|, these pins projecting beyond the sidewalls 26 for the purpose of mounting and guiding the locking member for vertical movement, as will presently more fully appear. Theforward ends of the channel flanges 40 terminate in rearwardly spaced relation to the forward end of the cover, as at 19, to provide, a space to be engaged by the sides of the locking member, as will presently more fully appear.

a The locking member consists of a U-shape slide having a front wall 80 and side walls 8 I-8 I, each provided with spaced vertically aligned slots 82. and 83 engaged by the ends of the pins 11 and 18, these slots in the normal locking position, as shown in Fig. 16, corresponding in shape to and registering with. the slots 15 and 18 of the cover member. The lower end portion of each of the side walls 8| is cut out, as at 84, to engage at the sides of the housing and cover members in the spaces 19 forwardly of the channel flanges 40.

The front wall 80 of the locking member corresponds in height to the combined height of the front walls of this housing and cover members, and in the closed position as shown in Fig. 16 forms a continuous front surface for the upper part of the stapling machine. In this closed position the cover member is positively locked against rearward movement relatively to the housing member, forward movement being prevented by the engagement of the rearward wall 51 of the cover member with the rearward end of the rail and housing member.

In order to release the cover member, to permit it to be moved to open staple strip loading position, the locking member is manually slid upwardly, as shown in Fig. 1'7, bringing its lower end above the upper end of the front wall 59 of the housing member thus releasing the cover member so that it may be moved rearwardly. Upon closing the cover member the locking member may be manually moved into its looking posi .tion as shown in Fig. 16, or it may be automatically moved by depressing the plunger 3| when the first staple of 1 the'insert'ed'strip. is driven, the pins 1:1:and18ofthe locking member, which are engaged with the lower ends of the slots 82 and 83 in the raised position of the locking momber, forcing the locking member to thelower locking position asthe'plunger is depressed. The locking member preferably fits the sides of the cover member with. a slight friction so that it will be frictionally held in either'of its moved position.

I have illustrated and described preferred and satisfactory embodiments of the invention, but it will be obvious that changes may be made therein, within the spirit and scope thereof, as defined in the appendedclaims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is;

In a stapling machine, an anvil base, a staple carrying rail member mounted upon said base having a staple driving passage at its forward end, a ,cover member slidably mounted upon said rail member for longitudinal opening and closing movement relative thereto having staple driving means adapted in closed position to align with said staple driving passage, said cover member adapted in said closed position to enclose said rail at its upper side and in open position to expose said rail for the loading of a staple strip thereon.

2. In a stapling-machine, an anvil base, a

staple carrying rail member mounted upon said base, a cover member mounted upon said rail member for longitudinal sliding movement relative thereto adaptedfin one position to enclose said rail at its upper side and in a slidably moved 'position to expose a portion of the upper side of said rail for ..the.loading of a staple strip thereon, and spring detent means arranged to yieldably retain said cover member in its respective closed and open positions. x 3. Ina stapling machine, an anvil base, a staple carrying rail member mounted upon said base havinga stapleadriving passage at its forward end, a cover member, mounted upon said rail member for longitudinal sliding movement relative thereto having staple driving means at its forward end, said cover member adapted in a forwardly moved position to enclose said rail at its upper side, with said staple driving means vertically aligned with said staple driving passage and in a rearwardly moved position to expose the forward portion of the upper side of said rail for the loading of a staple strip thereon.

{1. In a stapling machine, an anvil base, a staple carrying rail member mounted upon said base,

a eovermember mounted upon said rail member for longitudinal sliding movement relative thereto adapted in a forwardly moved position to en- 'close said rail at its upper side and in a rearwardly moved position to expose a portion of the upper side of said rail for the loading of a staple strip thereon, a staple strip pusher slidably mounted 'upon' said rail, spring means arranged to exert forward pressure upon said pusher, said pusher being disposed rearwardly in the longitudinal path of movement of a portion of said cover member whereby upon sliding movement of said cover member to open position said pusher is I moved rearwardly upon said rail.

5. In a stapling machine, an anvil base, a staple carrying rail member mounted upon said base, a cover member mounted upon said rail member for longitudinal sliding movement relative thereto adapted in a forwardly moved position to enclose said rail at its upper side and in a rear- .wardlymovedposition to. expose .a portion of the upper sideof -said rail for the loading of a staple strip thereon, a staple strip pusher slidably mounted upon said rail, spring means arranged to exert forward pressure upon said pusher, said pusher being disposed rearwardly in the longitudinal path of movement of a portion of said cover member whereby upon sliding movement of said cover member to open position said pusher is moved rearwardly upon said rail, and spring detent means arranged to yieldably retain said cover member in its respective closed andopen positions.

6. In a stapling machine, an anvil base, a staple carrying rail member mounted upon said base, a cover member mounted upon said rail member for longitudinal sliding movement relative thereto adapted in a forwardly moved position 'to enclose said rail at :its upper side and in a rearvvardly moved position to expose a portion of the upper side of said rail for the loading of a staple strip thereon, a staple strip pusher slidably mounted upon said rail, spring means disposed between said pusher and the rearward end of said rail member normally exerting forward pressure upon said pushensaid pusher being disposed rearwardly in the longitudinal-path of movement of a portion of said cover member whereby upon movement of said cover member to .open' position said pusher is retracted upon said rail.

7. In a stapling-machine, an anvil base, a staple carrying rail member mounted upon said base, a cover member mounted upon said rail member for longitudinal sliding movement relative thereto adapted in a forwardly moved position to en,- close said rail at its upper side and in a rearwardly moved position to expose a portion of the upper side of said rail for the loading of a staple strip thereon, a staple strip pusher slidably "mounted upon said rail, spring means disposed between said pusher and the rearward end of said cover member normally exerting forward pressure upon said pusher, said pusher being disposed rearwardlyf in the longitudinal path of movement of a'portion. of said cover member whereby upon movement of said cover member to open position 'said pusher is retracted upon said rail. U

BI 'In a stapling machine, an anvil base, a staple rail and housing member mounted upon said base including a rail portion having spaced side walls, a housing portion including side Walls outwardly spaced from said side walls of said side rail portion to provide a staple leg receiving space and a front wall forwardly spaced from the forward end of said rail portion to provide a staple driving passage, a cover member mounted upon said housing member for longitudinal sliding movement adapted in one position to enclose the upper side of said rail portion and in another position to expose a portion of the upper side of said rail for the loading of a staple strip thereon.

9. In a stapling machine, an anvil base, a staple rail and housing member mounted upon said base including a rail portion having spaced side walls, a housing portion including side walls outwardly spaced from said side walls of said side rail portion to provide a staple leg receiving space and a. front wall forwardly spaced from the forward end of said rail portion to provide a staple driving passage, said side walls of said rail portion extending above the upper edges of the side walls of said housing portion to laterally expose their upper portions, a cover member movably mountted upon said housing member adapted in one Cal position to enclose'the upper side of said'rail portion and in another position to expose a portion of the upper side of said rail for the loading of astaple stripv thereon.

1-0. In a stapling machine, an anvil base, a

staple rail. and housing member mounted uponsaid base including a rail portionv having spaced side-walls, a housing portion including side walls outwardly spaced from said-side walls of said .side rail portion, to provide a staple leg'reoeiving space .and afront wallfo-rwandly spaced from the :for-

ward and of said rail portion to provide a staple driving passage, said side walls of said rail portion extending above the upper edges of the side walls of said housing portion to laterally eXpoSe their upper portion a iCOVEl' member movably mounted upon said housing member for longitudinal slidingmovement adapted in one position to enclose the-upper side of said. rail portion and in another position to expose a portion of them)- per side of said rail :forrthe' loading of a staple strip thereon. V v

11. In a stapling machine, an anvil base, a p e a an h using member mounted upon said base including a rail portionhaving spaced sidewalls, a housi g portion including side walls outwardly spaced from saidside'walls of said side r p t n o provi e .a;-stap e leg receiving spa e and a front wall forwardly spaced from the $5.01- d e d. of said ,rail portion toprovide a staple driving passage, outwardly extending flanges :on s sing, sidewalls, a cover member having r d m ans en a ing said flan es of said housing member ion-longitudinal sliding movementadaptedin one position to enclose the upper sideof said rail portion andin another position to exposea portion of the up er-side of said *rai-l for the loading of a staple strip thereon.

2. In a stap n machine, a nvil ;ba.se,, a

staple ca n ra member mounted upon said base, a cover member mounted upon said irail member for longitudinal sliding movement relative thereto adapted in one position to enclose the upper side of said rail Portion andin another position to expose a portion-of theupper side pf said rail for the loading :of a staple strip thereon,

said cover side ,walls, above the rail.

13. In a stapling machine, an anvil base, a staple carrying rail member mounted upon said base, a cover member mounted upon said rail member for longitudinal sliding movement rela tive thereto adapted in one position to enclose the upper side of said rail member and in another position to expose a portion of the upper side of said rail for the loading of a staple strip thereon, said cover member including a front wall and side walls, the lower end of said front wall being above the plane of the staples carried upon the rail,; and a staple driving member mounted for member. including a front wall and .the lower end of said front wall being plane of the staples carried upon the sliding movement relaside walls, the lower end of said front wall being above the plane of the staples carried upon the 'rail, a staple strip pusher slidably mounted upon said rail, spring means arranged to exert forward pressure upon said pusher, said pusher being disposed rearwardly in the longitudinal path of movement of the lower end of the front wall of said cover member whereby upon sliding movement of said cover member to open position said pusher is moved rearwardly upon said rail.

15. In a stapling machine, a staple carrying member, a cover member mounted upon said staple carrying member for longitudinal sliding movement relative thereto adapted in a forwardly moved position to enclose the upper side of said staple carrying member and in a rearwardly moved position to expose a portion of the upper side of said staple carrying member for the loading of a staple strip thereon, a locking member movably mounted upon said cover mem- "ber and movable between locking and unlocking positions adapted in looking position to interlock with said staple carrying member to prevent rearward movement of said cover member, and stop means cooperating between said cover and staple carrying members to limit the forward movement of the cover member. l r r r 16. In a stapling machine, an anvil base, a

staple carrying member, a cover member mounted upon said staple carryingmember for longitudinal sliding movement relative thereto adapted in a forwardly moved position to enclose the -upper side of said staple carryingmember and in a-rearwardly moved position to expose a portion of the upper side of .said staple carrying ing arranged-to move said locking means from unlocked to locked position upon staple driving direction. -1'7. In a stapling machine, a staple carrying rail, a covermember for said raiLincludinga front wall and side walls, said side walls having movement in I opposed vertical grooves directly formed therein, a staple driving plate member having its side edges slidably engaged in said grooves, a plunger having front and sidewalls, its front wall being connected to said plate member to impart vertical driving movement thereto and its side walls being engaged with the inner surfaces of said side walls of said cover member, and guide means for said plunger carried by said side walls of said cover member and arranged in spaced parallel relation to said grooves.

18. In a stapling machine, a staple carrying rail, a cover member for said rail, including a front wall and side walls, said side walls having opposed vertical grooves directly formed therein, a staple driving plate member having its side edges slidably engaged in'said grooves, a plunger having front and side walls, its front wall being connected to said plate member to impart vertical driving movement thereto and its side walls being engaged with the inner surfaces of said side walls of said cover member, and guide ribs for said plunger formed upon the inner sides of said side walls of said cover member in spaced parallel relation to said grooves.

19. In combination, a magazine having a rail for supporting staples, a cover for said magazine, staple driving means slidably guided by said cover for ejecting a staple in said magazine, a slidable connection between said magazine and cover to permit the latter to. be rearwardly and rectilinearly displaced relative to said rail to expose the rail and to permit said cover to be displaced towards the front of said magazine to prevent access to the staples on said rail, and locking means to limit forwarder rearward displacement of said cover.

20. In combination, a magazine having a rail for supporting staples, a follower mounted on said rail, a rectilinear displaceable cover for opening and closing said magazine to expose said rail and including plunger means for ejecting a staple from said magazine, liftable latch means for locking said cover and magazine against relative movement, and spring means cooperating with said follower and latch means.

MAX voGEi 

